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Arsenal Clinch First Big Summit of the Season by Defeating Manchester United

Arsenal secured the first major summit of the new Premier League season after beating Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford, in the closing fixture of the opening round, which also saw Chelsea stumble at home with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace.

Despite the defeat, United were the better side throughout the encounter, but they were undone by a costly error from Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayındır, who started in place of Cameroonian André Onana, expected to leave the side managed by Portuguese coach Rúben Amorim. Amorim handed starting roles to new signings, Cameroonian Bryan Mbeumo and Brazilian Matheus Cunha, while another arrival, Slovenian Benjamin Šeško, remained on the bench.

On the other side, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta handed a starting spot to his new Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, alongside fellow summer signing, Spanish midfielder Martín Zubimendi.

United started the match with intense pressure and near-total possession, but the Londoners stunned them with the opener in the 13th minute when Italian Riccardo Calafiori headed home from a corner delivered by Declan Rice, with Bayındır misjudging the flight of the ball.

United pressed for an equaliser and nearly found it in the 30th minute after a brilliant through ball from Portuguese captain Bruno Fernandes to Danish full-back Patrick Dorgu, whose strike from outside the box struck the left post of Spanish goalkeeper David Raya’s net.

Despite relentless pressure on their London rivals’ goal until late in the game and threatening multiple times, the “Red Devils” failed to level the score, allowing the “Gunners” to leave their rivals’ fortress with all three points, and extend their unbeaten Premier League run against United since September 2022.

Negative Start for Chelsea

Elsewhere, Chelsea, who lifted the FIFA Club World Cup last month, began their campaign with a goalless home draw against neighbours Crystal Palace, winners of the FA Cup, who had themselves opened the season by beating league champions Liverpool in the Community Shield.

Despite dominating possession and playing with an attacking style, the “Blues” could not break down their neighbours’ defence, as they now head into a tough stretch. Italian coach Enzo Maresca’s side face three consecutive London derbies, starting away at West Ham United in the next round, before hosting Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest, who were among last season’s contenders for Champions League qualification before finishing seventh, defeated visitors Brentford 3-1. New Zealand striker Chris Wood struck twice (5’ and 45+2’), Swiss newcomer Dan Ndoye added one (42’), while Brazilian Igor Thiago netted Brentford’s consolation from the penalty spot (78’).

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